News

20/06/2024 00:00, In Blog / Track & Field /

Welsh Athletics is delighted to announce a brand-new partnership with College Merthyr Tydfil.

The partnership, which will be launched at an event on Thursday 27 June,  aims to create a regional development centre for endurance athletes in the heart of Merthyr Tydfil, supporting the college's mission to transform lives through working in partnership and aligning with Welsh Athletics performance vision of “Delivering a sustainable sector leading elite performance system”. 

Both Welsh Athletics and the College Merthyr Tydfil recognise the need for student athletes to access high quality performance programmes that can seamlessly blend with academic timetabling and the Endurance Regional Development Programme will provide a perfect pathway for learners wishing to develop their athletic ability and talent alongside their academic studies.

Chris Type, Head of Performance at Welsh Athletics shared:

The partnership with The College Merthyr Tydfil is the first of its kind in Wales and for the Welsh Athletics Performance Pathway.

 

The Endurance Regional Development Programme provides an exciting opportunity for young student athletes to engage in a structured performance development programme whilst studying a further education course at the college.

Based on the college’s existing Sports Academy model, learners will be able to study any further education course they wish to at the college and combine this with the regional development programme. So, whether they want to become an engineer, medic, beautician or study construction with the aim of progressing into an apprenticeship, this endurance development programme will be accessible to them.

Through the endurance development programme, learners will have the opportunity to take part in Glamorgan and Welsh Schools Cross Country and athletics events and also the Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport National Championships events whilst at the same time receiving high level coaching and training, strength and conditioning and nutritional advice.

However, the real selling point of this programme will undoubtedly be the opportunity for the athletes to take part in physiology field testing down at the fantastic facilities in Cardiff Met, enabling them to obtain an individualised training plan to help further develop their strength and performance.

Simon Evans, Assistant Principal at The College Merthyr Tydfil, said:

The College Merthyr Tydfil is delighted to be working in partnership with Welsh Athletics to drive forward the Regional Development Programme.

 

We at the College are committed to “Transforming lives through working in partnership” and working with Welsh Athletics will help us to provide opportunities for local athletes, who may not have the means or affordability to be able to access them otherwise.

Keep an eye on our social channels for updates on the partnership.

If you are interested in supporting us in developing the future of athletics in Wales and would like to partner with Welsh Athletics, please contact Jozie Postles at jozie.postles@welshathletics.org.